Chennaiyin FC vs Punjab FC Prediction: Punjab are looking for first win

Chennaiyin FC will welcome Punjab FC in Gameweek 5 of the Indian Super League at Chennai, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Punjab are looking for their first win of the season while Chennai will look to build up on the previous win to get their first home victory this season. Who will win? 

Chennaiyin FC has faced a challenging start to their season, enduring three consecutive defeats at the hands of Odisha FC, NorthEast United FC, and Mohun Bagan Super Giant. These losses have seen the Marina Machans scoring only one goal while conceding eight.

However, the recent international break offered a valuable period for reflection and enhancement. Chennaiyin used this time effectively, resulting in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hyderabad FC.

In the Indian Super League (ISL), where momentum plays a critical role, Chennaiyin FC is set to host their next three matches, aiming to sustain their winning streak in front of their home crowd.

During the pre-game press conference, head coach Owen Coyle emphasized the ongoing progress in his team and expressed his confidence in their ability to pursue further victories.

Debjit Majumder (GK), Bikash Yumnam, Lazar Cirkovic, Ryan Edwards, Aakash Sangwan, Ankit Mukherjee, Ayush Adhikari, Rafael Crivellaro, Farukh Chaudhary, Rahim Ali, Connor Shields

The recently promoted Punjab FC has displayed glimpses of their potential but has yet to secure their inaugural victory. Currently positioned 11th in the league table, they have only managed to accumulate two points and are in urgent need of that elusive first win.

Head coach Staikos Vergitis has been experimenting with his starting lineup in the pursuit of better results, and it appears that he has finally established a consistent starting XI after four matches. Key players like Luca Majcen and Juan Mera are expected to play crucial roles in their endeavor to attain a positive outcome in this challenging away fixture.

When asked about the possibility of exploiting Chennaiyin FC's defensive vulnerabilities, Vergitis expressed confidence in his team's capacity to capitalize on their opponent's weaknesses.

Ravi Kumar (GK), Khaimingthang Lhungdim, Melroy Assisi, Dimitris Chatziisaias, Nitesh Darjee, Brandon Vanlalremdika, Nikhil Prabhu, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Juan Mera, Madih Talal, Luka Majcen

Chennaiyin achieved a significant milestone by securing a crucial victory against Hyderabad. Not only did this win mark their first triumph of the season, but it also provided a significant morale boost, particularly as it led to their first clean sheet.

The forthcoming match against Punjab is expected to be a low-scoring affair, primarily because Staikos Vergetis' team has encountered challenges in creating goal-scoring opportunities. Punjab is also entering the game with their first clean sheet of the season. Consequently, it's quite likely that these two teams will end up sharing points in a hard-fought encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.

Take double chance on the away side in this game.